Mercedes GLC im Test: La Deutsche Vita – mit dem Elektro-SUV nach Italien

Italien has long been the object of German fascination, with poets like Goethe embarking on journeys to experience its charm in the 18th century. In recent decades, holidaymakers have flocked to the country, with even the humor of these trips becoming part of German cultural identity. However, for electric vehicle enthusiasts, Italy has historically presented significant challenges.

In 2020, former VW CEO Herbert Diess lamented openly about the poor charging infrastructure south of the Alps. Despite this, new electric cars like the Mercedes GLC should make long-distance travel easier: promising ample range and comfort even on extended trips. The test data backs this up, with the GLC boasting up to 642 kilometers of range, fast charging capabilities, and plenty of space. So, a summer vacation in Italy should be a breeze, right?

Our destination: Tuscany, 1300 kilometers from Düsseldorf. Over two weeks, we'll be driving the electric GLC from the Black Forest through the Gotthard tunnel to Milan, then on to Lucca, Florence, and Siena, before returning. This should give us enough time to determine whether this 489-horsepower electric SUV can handle long-distance travel or if charging station hunts will still ruin the vacation. How does German high-tech fare in a land of Ferraris and Fiats?

There's no hiding from Italy's legendary car designers. The new electric GLC, unlike its predecessor EQC, still looks like a typical Mercedes. The somewhat rounded design of earlier EQ models has been abandoned, and the front is now more assertive and self-assured. The illuminated radiator grille really steals the show, gliding through the Italian evening sky like a spaceship.

Passersby look interested and nod their heads in approval. The second-tier tail lights are designed in a "fascinating stove optic," as advertised. It sounds like marketing speak, but in this case, it's true. When the stars softly glow upon opening or charging the car, it looks great. When we were previously plagued by knarled plastic in the CLA, there's no issue with the GLC.

Plastic still exists, but it's used in a more elegant way: around the cup holders, a matte, zigzag pattern runs, the phone holder is perforated and lined with microfiber, and a light bar stretches across the full width of the vehicle, illuminating even in danger or during charging.